Industry rocked by young jockey's death after mount falls

NEW ZEALAND racing has been hit hard by the death of Gold Coast-based New Zealand jockey Ashlee Mundy after a fall.

A freelance jockey, Mundy returned to New Zealand from Queensland in mid-December to ride on the South Island's summer circuit, and planned to return to Australia in February.

But her mount Elleaye fell with 600 metres to run in the seventh race at Kurow in North Otago on Sunday.

Nigel McIntyre, of the New Zealand Racing Integrity Unit, said it appeared Elleaye had clipped heels with another horse.

Mundy, 26, was flown to Dunedin Hospital in a critical condition with serious head injuries, and a hospital spokeswoman confirmed she died on Monday morning.

Trainer Lisa Rae said Mundy had spent Christmas with her parents in Westport, then had six races at Wingatui on December 28, including a win on Fintorro for the Raes.

''She's the wrong person. She's been taken too soon. She'd rock up every morning ready to ride, she was just one of those people who have a natural way with animals.'' Rae said.

''Our owners are broken, they're distraught. Ashlee was just lovely, she's touched so many people's lives.''

McIntyre said the RUI will conduct a full investigation into the incident, including talking to riders and viewing the race video, and will be working in conjunction with the police, who will prepare a report.

Deaths at New Zealand race meetings were rare, McIntyre said. The last one was in 2005 at Riverton when 16-year-old jockey Sam McRae died after his foot became entangled in his horse's riding iron, and he was dragged for 900 metres.

Dave Taylor, president of the New Zealand Jockeys' Association, expressed his sorrow on behalf of all jockeys. "We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident. All jockeys riding in race seven tomorrow, New Year's Day, at the three meetings - Ellerslie, Hastings and Waikouaiti - will wear black armbands and there will be a minute's silence on course 20 minutes before the first race to mark her passing."